Colchester United have been boosted after talented young midfielder Alex Gilbey committed his future to the club.

Gilbey, 19, has penned a new contract which will keep him at the Weston Homes Community Stadium until the summer of 2016.

The Frinton teenager's current deal was due to expire at the end of this season and he had been talks with the club over signing a new deal for some time.

Now Gilbey, who enjoyed a successful loan spell with Newport County last season, has put pen to paper on a contract which will keep him at Colchester for a further two and a half years.

It is a big boost for U's boss Joe Dunne, who has handed Gilbey his chance with the club's first team.

The youngster has played 37 times for the U's senior side and has been a regular for them in League One this season.

Dunne said: "Alex is one of the youngsters who have made great strides over the past couple of years and we will see him get even better in the next couple of seasons."

For more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, see Friday's Daily Gazette.